Anybody have experience with Marco Rocks?

[Isaacs55]

I just bought 50 lbs of Marco Rocks for my 40 breeder and I have been reading a lot of post about it leeching a ton of phosphates into the tank and it results in hair algea. I know Hair Algea comes with every new tank and mostly cant be avoided,but I want to try and avoid it as much as possible. So with that being said, am I going to regret buying dry Marco Rock? I am going to cure it for at least 2 months because my tank is still in its build process, so I can't even add it to my tank if i wanted to lol Also what are your guy's experience with Marco Rocks? Any cool Aquascapes? Pictures? I would appreciate it because I haven't seen any videos on YouTube of marco rock for some ideas...thanks.*

Oh and I was wondering if someone had a picture of what 50lbs of marco rock would look like...thanks

Oh and if you would like to follow my build on YouTube. I am going to be uploading some more videos as I progress in my tank build. Videos of my tank, tank updates and unboxing. Here's a link to one of my videos , check out my other videos if you'd like.

https://youtu.be/HY2plOZeN1U

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[bmrigs]

I bought his Nano package that came with 20 lbs each of rock and sand. I was happy with the rocks he gave me. The sand I had to wash but the rocks I just put in with no problems, not even a rinse off. No phosphates in the tank but I run GFO anyways because I am proactive.

 

[Isaacs55]

Yea I plan on running GFO also. How often do you change out your GFO though? Like once a week? Considering you have a nano tank? I've just been getting mixed reviews ya know. Some people say they got a ton of po4 with the rocks and some said they didn't get any like you. It all comes from the same mining place so I'm a little lost as to what I should do. I guess I'll have to wait and see

 

[iteched]

Subscribed - cause - well - I too have a 50lb box on the way (should get here today or tomorrow).

At any rate most of the reviews I found were positive. I don't anticipate any major problems - but I'll be watching for them anyway.

 

[Tommy_13]

I used about 80lbs of dry marco rock (100 gallon). Tank has been running for 7 months, always read 0 Phosphate and have no algae on my rock. You will not regret your decision.

 

[FishInABarrel]

I bought 50lbs of Marco rock. I did give it all a soak in acid after I read about the phosphates as well. I don't have any complaints.
Some people say a good washing is all they did and were fine.

 

[webslinger]

80Lbs about 18 months ago. No issues, no phosphate, no hair alge. Washed them in rodi water and into the DT

 

[pdiehm]

got 30# for my biocube 29. nice rocks, and my PO4 reading yesterday is 0. Absolutely zero issue with Phosphates with those rocks.

 

[Isaacs55]

got 30# for my biocube 29. nice rocks, and my PO4 reading yesterday is 0. Absolutely zero issue with Phosphates with those rocks.

Wow this is some great comments and feedback guys!! Thanks!! Really looking forward to doing this unboxing and getting them set up!!!

 

[Isaacs55]

Subscribed - cause - well - I too have a 50lb box on the way (should get here today or tomorrow).

At any rate most of the reviews I found were positive. I don't anticipate any major problems - but I'll be watching for them anyway.

Thanks for the Sub man!! That's awesome you better share some pictures here when you get them in today or tomorrow lol we all love pictures of Rocks lol :spin1:

 

[cryptic_grower]

I used marco rocks and sand. Great service ,good people. I did cure my rock but my po4 has been .03 in my DT for the last 9 weeks. I might over feed a little though.

 

[tmz]

Curing it is a good idea. While you are at it check the PO4 in the curing water . If it rises the rock is leaching it . You can stop the leaching by insuring the curing water stays at low PO4 via water changes , gfo or with less expense by adding some lanthanum chloride. The PO4 boud to rock surfaces will equilibrate with the surrounding water . After a couple of weeks or less you should get low PO4 readings .

 

[Toddrtrex]

I used about 160-180 lbs for my 210 (( had ordered about 200, but traded a few excess pieces away, and place some in the fuge of my other tank )). This was a new set up and placed them right into the tank. Haven't had any PO4 issues (( running phosban and using 0 TDS RO/DI water )), and have been very pleased over all with them.

Here is the most recent picture (( in addition I moved 4-5 rocks over from my 75 that I had had for years ))

Close up of some of the rocks from a couple months ago.

The purple rock was from the old tank.

 

[pdiehm]

Wow this is some great comments and feedback guys!! Thanks!! Really looking forward to doing this unboxing and getting them set up!!!

Having said that, I put this biocube up in a pinch. I prefer Pukani rock, but since the biocube is in our family room, my wife wouldn't have been big on waiting for 2-3 months for the PUkani rock to cure and leach out as much PO4 as it should.

If I had time to do it, I would have gotten the Pukani Rock, but, the Marco Rock and the aquascape I made out of them turned out fantastic.

 

[Isaacs55]

I used about 160-180 lbs for my 210 (( had ordered about 200, but traded a few excess pieces away, and place some in the fuge of my other tank )). This was a new set up and placed them right into the tank. Haven't had any PO4 issues (( running phosban and using 0 TDS RO/DI water )), and have been very pleased over all with them.

Here is the most recent picture (( in addition I moved 4-5 rocks over from my 75 that I had had for years ))

Close up of some of the rocks from a couple months ago.

The purple rock was from the old tank.

Great looking tank!! Glad to hear most people have positive reviews here. I'm guessing the ones that had po4s maybe over feed or a source from something else...if not just a bad batch I guess... thanks everyone for your input! I'm super stoked to get my rock in on Saturday! I'll post pictures and a video of the unboxing.
Thanks guys

 

[Biodork]

+1 for low phosphates. I also was able to very easily drill these rocks to thread onto a couple of acrylic rods for tall and narrow aquascapeing.

 

[Isaacs55]

+1 for low phosphates. I also was able to very easily drill these rocks to thread onto a couple of acrylic rods for tall and narrow aquascapeing.

Hey that's a great idea! I may have to try a pillar. ..how long did it take for yours to arive being that you live here in California?

 

[coolxborg]

I ordered 100lbs from marco and my tank recently finished it cycle and still no phosphates, although my test kit is API. Still need to get a better one.

I did soak them for a few days with RO water and vinegar.

As for shipping, I live in San Diego. If i recall correctly, it took 4-5 days and Im quite sure it arrived on a saturday.

 

[Isaacs55]

I ordered 100lbs from marco and my tank recently finished it cycle and still no phosphates, although my test kit is API. Still need to get a better one.

I did soak them for a few days with RO water and vinegar.

As for shipping, I live in San Diego. If i recall correctly, it took 4-5 days and Im quite sure it arrived on a saturday.

Awesome! You must be loving the rock then? That's great man! Yea i ordered mine Tuesday so hopefully it gets here Saturday. I know it's being being shipped fedex ground but not sure if they deliver on sundays...I know ups delivers on Sundays which Is nice when I order things from amazon lol

 

[hotelbravo]

why the same thread in the new to the hobby section and the reef discussion question?